Prepare for Emergencies
Our partners at Sesame Street in Communities have resources to help children and families cope with disasters and prepare for the unexpected. Their Emergencies topic page has videos, printable activities, and articles to support families after experiencing a natural disaster.
Keeping Food Safe in Summer Heat
Staying cool may be challenging during summer, especially when buying and transporting groceries. Keeping foods in safe temperatures also requires more attention in the summer. Our partners at ICN have great tips for keeping purchased foods safe between the store and your kitchen, whether in a center or home.
School Readiness: Learning Circles
Learning can happen anywhere, anytime with help from the adults in a child’s circle of care who keep them safe and well. Sesame Street in Communities’ new bilingual (English and Spanish) resources leverage the power of building social-emotional skills and healthy relationships.
National Berry Month
July is National Berry Month! Summer is a great time to serve delicious meals/snacks that include berries, while educating those in your care about healthy eating with fruit.
Build a Healthy Eating Routine
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has a variety of online resources that professionals can use to help parents and caregivers start infants and children off with a healthy eating routine. MyPlate also has great tipsheets for parents and caregivers based on the life stage.
Serving Traditional Indigenous Foods
To support the use of traditional Indigenous foods in Child Nutrition Programs, FNS has created a new webpage as an organized hub of technical assistance resources and policy guidance. This new webpage, Serving Traditional Indigenous Foods in Child Nutrition Programs, houses relevant policy guidance and resources to assist CNP operators in determining how traditional Indigenous foods may contribute toward a reimbursable meal.
Enjoy Healthy Summer Activities
Looking for fun summer activities and resources? Team Nutrition and MyPlate have a great collection of resources available for free!
Creating Variety and Flavor with Seasonal Produce
Have you ever eaten a fresh apple or a peach right off a tree? If so, you know seasonal produce is fresh and tastes delicious, making children more likely to eat it. In addition to great taste, buying seasonal products also helps sustain the local economy.
Playful Activities for Picky EatersÂ
As a way to help parents and caregivers provide fruits, vegetables, and healthy drinks every day, the CDC Foundation has produced a series of playful activities for use during meal and snack time.
Healthy Iron Intake
Our bodies only need a small amount of iron, but without it, a child can appear pale in color; suffer from frequent headaches; or feel cranky, tired, and weak. Our partners at ICN review good sources of iron and how the CACFP Meal Pattern supports a healthy intake of iron.